Lyfe Kitchen Spins Off in Culver City

It’s hard to find fault with the aims of Culver City’s Lyfe Kitchen. Driving the concept are two of Oprah’s former chefs, Art Smith and Tal Ronnen. Together they’ve created a menu of meals weighing in under 600 calories. Ingredients are said to be organic when possible, from suppliers using humane and sustainable practices. There’s also a prepared-foods marketplace selling meals under 500 calories.

“One immediately gets the feel that this place is a class act,” Baron says on Chowhound. High marks for a plate of grilled barramundi, shiitake mushrooms, and edamame in a veggie broth (pictured); also a beet salad with farro and greens. The space, the staff, the controlled-calorie concept: Baron vows to return. And there’s a bonus: gluten-free and vegan menus.